I just became a mom 10 months ago, but I'd heard about the very viral Nugget couch long before I got pregnant. For a while, it seemed like any mother I talked to wanted one for her kids. As a shopping editor, I constantly saw it touted as a top pick for splurge-worthy Christmas gifts for littles. I was told more than once when filling out my baby registry that a Nugget was a must-have.
Truthfully, I didn't think about the Nugget couch too much until my daughter started crawling. Then, it was game over for normal couch snuggles. All I needed was close call with her basically catapulting out of my arms and onto the floor to frantically start researching the best kid's couch. After a month of use, I'm here to report back with my findings and end the debate of parents everywhere.
How the Nugget Couch Works
Part lounger, part toy, the Nugget couch is a four-piece sofa that sits flat on the ground. It is highly configurable, making it perfect not only for kids to play with but also to grow with them.
The Nugget includes a two-part base cushion that's firmer and thicker than the rest of the cushions, but still foldable thanks to a seam down the center that attaches the two separate cushion inserts. Then there's a soft cushion in a similar shape as the base cushion, which is also foldable. The soft cushion is, just as it says, a good deal softer than the base cushion and slightly less thick, making it a comfy place to lay. Then there are two triangular-shaped pillows that have the same firmness as the base cushion.
The Nugget couch comes in a whopping 17 different color options and three different fabric choices. The covers are removable and easy to clean in the washing machine — a must-have for parents. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified, uses Certi-Pur-US® foam, and passes California’s TB-117, so there are no questions about the safety of the couch for use by little ones.
There are three fabrics for the Nugget couch covers: Microsuede, Double-Brushed, and Corduroy. The Microsuede is the original fabric, and touted as the softest of the three and highly durable. Our Nugget couch is Double-Brushed, a version of the Microsuede that was double-brushed in production to "create little grooves that give the fabric deeper dimension and a soft, luxe texture." Personally, I find the Double-Brushed fabric to be plenty soft, and I like that the fabric has more dimension to help cover up dirt. The Corduroy comes in only one color and is more plush than the previous two.
The product engineers thought about just about everything when designing the Nugget couch. The zippers are well hidden, so tiny hands don't try to grasp them and pull them open (if you know the struggle, then you know why this is important to mention). It also has handles on the sides that make it easily moveable from room to room, which is extra convenient because moving it without them is a tad cumbersome.
Is the Nugget Couch Worth It?
Long story short: yes. We use our Nugget couch daily, and my daughter isn't even a year old, yet. With a $250 price tag and years of use ahead of us, that'll equate to pennies per use.
The "Big Orange Box" the couch comes in is almost as viral as the couch itself at this point. The cushions arrived compressed and packed tightly in the box, but they didn't take more than an afternoon to completely fluff up.
I'd originally thought about putting an old hand-me-down sofa in our playroom until I realized just how truly mobile my new crawler was, and then determined that something closer to ground-level was essential. For me, $250 is a small price to pay for peace of mind in knowing that she'll always be safe.
And my daughter has truly put the safety of this couch to the test. She regularly crawls right over the edge, not a moment of hesitation, and seamlessly hits the ground and keeps going. The 8.75-inch height has nothing on her newly developed climbing abilities.
As much as we've already used the Nugget couch, I know that it'll grow with our family as my daughter ages and more children join the crew. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the couch becomes more of a DIY play gym, as one of my fellow editors has told me her kids use it. For movie nights, there's no better way to snuggle up as a family than to lay the base cushion and soft cushion side by side and enjoy those little cuddles.
Selfishly, the Nugget couch is also much comfier than sitting on the floor. Whether my daughter is on the couch with me or on the floor a few inches below, there's a good chance that I'm sitting on the Nugget watching her play. Quite frankly, I am too old for the floor.
Ways to Use the Nugget Couch
The options of ways to configure the Nugget couch are basically endless! Those of us who fall into the category of basic parents will just appreciate all the different ways our children can configure the couch on their own, but take one look on Pinterest and you'll see the elite parents among us who craft the Nugget couch into animal shapes, well-decorated castles, or even a fortress. Here are some of the most common configurations, though:
- The Slide — Place the base cushion on the edge of your sofa cushion, sliding down, supporting under the base cushion with the triangle cushions. Lay the soft cushion flat on the floor at the bottom of the "slide" or underneath it to give kids a soft place to land.
- The Reading Nook — Lay the triangle cushions flat on the ground and prop the base cushion on top of them, in a V-shape. Place the soft cushion in an inverted V-shape with the edges laying on the edges of the base cushion. The couch should create a diamond shape that kids can get in the middle of.
- The Tent — Our Country Living campers will appreciate this one! Lay the base cushion flat on the ground and put the triangle cushions on either end. Prop the soft cushion on top of the triangle cushions in an inverted V-shape.
- The Half-circle — Put the two triangle cushions on the ground and curve the soft cushion in between them, creating a smooth spot for kids to lay down. Put the base cushion at the bottom of all of it for extra padding.
- The Spaceship — Lay the triangle cushions flat on the ground parallel to each other. Fold the base cushion in half and place it atop the triangle cushions. Place the soft cushion on top of the base in an inverted V-shape.
These are truly just a few of the ways to use the Nugget couch. Play around with these suggestions but don't be afraid to let your little ones get creative — this is one of the biggest selling points of the Nugget.
Are Nugget Couch Dupes Worth It?
Could I have gotten a dupe? Sure, but, to be honest, the dupes really aren't that much cheaper in the grand scheme of things. You're usually saving about $50-$100, at most. Especially when you consider that many dupes don't have removable covers or covers that are durable to roughhousing.
Take one look at reviews of popular dupes and you'll often see buyers complaining about funky smells, deflating cushions, or stains that won't come out. I love a good bargain, but if we're talking about a high-use long-term purchase for my child, then I'll invest in it.
You can also buy covers for your Nugget separately, a feature not many dupes can tout. While I have no doubts that the Nugget cover will last years with frequent washing and a great stain remover, there may come a time when you want to buy a new cover, whether it be for aesthetic reasons or out of necessity.
Why Trust Country Living?
Our team of editors have spent years curating gift guides and best-of lists for kids of all ages, scouring real reviews and having our own families put toys to the test. Additionally, our parent editors have their fingers on the pulse of everything new and trending in the kid's toys scene and can personally attest to the purchases that are totally worth it and those that you should skip.
Hannah Jones is a new mom of a daughter who is 10-months old. After years of researching, writing, and asking for her fellow editor's kid's opinions on the best toys to buy, she now has her own child to test all the new and upcoming products. She's written about everything from the best kid's backpacks to top gifts for 10-year old girls.
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
